Mai: oooh we get to see where I used to work
Bou-san: Thriller Restaurant really who decides to work at a place like that
Me: It's not that bad, John the disclaimer please
John: wolfofalltrades doesn't own ghost hunt what so ever.
Me: On with the story!
"Mai, sweetheart," A familiar female voice called out to the slumbering girl.
"Hmmm… Mom is that you?" Mai rubbed her eyes slowly waking up.
"That's right dear," Mai's mother replied.
"Is this going to be about the case?" Mai asked.
"No not this one," Mai's mother replied.
"Oh then what did you want to talk about mom?" Mai questioned.
"Well dear there seems to be a young man that wishes for our help," Mai's mother explained.
"Okay but how can I help him I can't really do much," Mai scratched her cheek.
"you really shouldn't lie dear," A man's voice joined the conversation.
"Dad!" Mai cheered running up to hug the man.
"Now why can't I get greeted like that," Mai mother joked causing the other two to laugh.
"I talked to this young man earlier this night he's been following us for a while but has had to keep his distance," Mai's father told Mai.
"Huh? If he wants help why can't he just come to the palace? By the way dad where have you been? Is this guy also some kind of person that can see ghosts? Also why is it just my help?" Mai questioned not stopping for her parents to answer.
"Well, let's see if I can answer that in order. He can't go to the palace because there's a barrier around the city that keeps strong spirits from entering. Well he can see spirits but he also happens to be one so he was able to see me. I've been around after all I am your guardian angel; I've been helping you for a while. He wants your help mainly because he was able to contact you through me. Did I get everything?" Mai's dad explained.
"You mixed up the order a little dear but otherwise you did," Mai's mom answered his question.
"I see… couldn't he have contacted another medium or something?" Mai inquired.
"From what your father tells me it makes it easier if it was you," Mai's mom told her.
"Okay so when can I meet this guy?" Mai wondered aloud.
"When the time is right," Mai's dad answered.
"We'll see you later dear," Mai's mom said before Mai started to gain consciousness.
"I wonder who that guy is supposed to be." Mai wondered to herself out loud as she was headed to the base. Angel was still sleeping in her room looking too peaceful for Mai to disturb.
"What guy?" Lin questioned startling Mai from her thoughts.
"Ummm… Well I don't really know," Mai responded.
"You don't know?" Lin inquired.
"Not really, you're more talkative than normal Mr. Lin," Mai added in.
Lin didn't reply and instead entered the base, Mai walked in behind him to see only Naru up and working.
'Looks like Lin doesn't like me, I wonder why?' Mai thought to herself.
"Mai go get me tea," Naru ordered when he noticed Mai enter the room.
"A 'please' would be polite," Mai murmured in dissatisfaction.
"Is that so? Aren't I paying you to be my assistant not my manner's teacher," Naru insulted.
"Oh I hadn't realized you had one obviously their teachings didn't quite sink in," Mai quipped back.
"There's no reason to use them if I'm speaking to you," Naru replied.
"You…you… fine I'll just go get your tea," Mai replied in frustration before exiting.
"You look like you're having fun Noll," Lin remarked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Naru denied.
"Do you wish she continued your bantering?" Lin asked.
"She's strange," Naru answered instead, this making Lin raise an eyebrow. Neither of them continued the conversation and instead went back to work.
"Here's your tea Naru, I made you some too Mr. Lin you don't have to drink it if you don't want to. If you really want Mr Lin you can even throw the tea at Naru when he finally annoys you too much," Mai said cheerfully.
"I'll keep that in mind," Lin replied unable to keep from smirking a little at her joke even if he doesn't like her. In exchange however Naru glared at Mai for her joke.
"Seems like something you would do instead," Naru took a sip from the cup of tea Mai handed him.
"Well in that case you shouldn't bother me too much because I happen to have a whole pot of hot tea," Mai replied throwing in her own glare while smiling.
"You wouldn't dare," Naru replied.
"You were the one that said it seemed like something I'd do," Mai responded.
"You'll be punished for it," Naru put in as a last resort to prevent Mai from winning the argument but didn't expect the reaction he received.
"What but…. I'm terribly sorry your highness it seems I was out of place. Shall I instead fetch you some more tea," Mai bowed down at a 90 degree angle her face extremely pale than before. This reaction made both Lin and Naru stare at her for a second.
"Mai look up," Naru commanded watching Mai silently do as he told her.
"What's wrong?" Naru asked.
"I apologize for being too rude your highness you seemed not to mind in the past but I must have over stepped my boundary. Please do not punish me," Mai replied nervously not making direct eye contact and looking like she was about to kneel and beg.
"Mai its fine you aren't going to be punished," Naru said trying to wipe away the fear that showed up in her eyes. His reply made Mai visibly relax and calm down sharing a look with Lin. Naru filed away this instance for later use knowing Mai wouldn't talk about it with them right now.
'How odd she was fine when I've mentioned firing and banishing her,' Naru thought.
"Gee Naru you really scared me for a second there," Mai went back to normal but Naru noticed her hand was still shaking a little.
"You wanted to know more about me?" Naru stated changing the topic.
"Yeah since I don't really know much about you Naru," Mai replied taking a seat.
"How can you not know about the prince of your kingdom," Naru questioned.
"Oh I'm not from this kingdom," Mai replied.
"You're not?" Naru responded his eyes widening in surprise. Even Lin turned around in surprise at the fact.
"Yeah, I traveled here from a different kingdom. But anyways Naru I don't really know much about this kingdom at all." Mai added.
"I see so you are unaware of the problem my family is in," Naru commented.
"Problem, I heard there was another prince but I haven't met him," Mai answered innocently not revealing everything she learnt beforehand.
"Eugene he was my twin, but…"Naru trailed off unwilling to finish.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want too," Mai commented softly.
It was at this moment that Angel walked into the room, his sharp eyes analyzing the situation. Noticing the mood he silently walked over to Naru. Quickly he jumped on top of Naru's head and flicked his tail in Naru's face.
"Mai get this fur ball off of me!" Naru demanded trying to swat Angel off.
"Pfft come on boy don't do that," Mai coaxed her cat to come off while trying to hold back her laughter. When Angel shook his head no and snickered Mai couldn't hold back anymore and nearly rolled on the floor laughing.
"Lin!" Naru shouted.
"He seems to like you Noll," Lin commented smirking causing Mai to laugh a little harder.
Angel ears perked up and he decided to jump off Naru's head and onto Mai's shoulder. In the next moment Noriko happened to enter the room and offered Mai to join her in Ayami's room.
"…Ayami is quiet," Mai observed from the chair she was sitting in, Angel was sleeping in her lap.
"Until recently she was more playful and talkative. But she's been this way ever since my brother remarried and we moved to this house," Noriko explained from Ayami's bed as Ayami was quietly playing with Minnie on the floor.
"I see…" Mai said softly before there was knocking on the door.
"Ayami I brought you some tea," Kana smiled from the doorway holding a tray with cookies and tea.
"How wonderful you have company! What were you playing?" Kana questioned putting the tray down beside Ayami. Ayami didn't answer and continued to stare at the ground.
"I'd like it if you talked to me. Would you like a cookie?" Kana continued the one sided conversation while holding out some cookies to Ayami. Ayami turned her head and ignored the cookies.
"You don't want one?" Kana asked standing up as Ayami nodded her head.
"I see then do as you wish!" Kana shouted in frustration before slamming the door shut. The slam startled Mai and woke up Angel.
"Ayami would you mind if I ate a cookie…?" Noriko asked.
"NO! There's poison in them!" Ayami shouted.
Mai and Noriko stared in surprise at what she said. Angel on the other hand narrowed his eyes.
"Minnie told me that my stepmother is a bad witch and that she puts poison in the cookies and she turned my daddy into her slave by using black magic! She's also trying to kill Noriko and me because we're in her way!" Ayami looked like she was about as she held onto Minnie.
'Minnie… told her all this,' Mai thought in shock. Noriko decided she was going to comfort Ayami and shooed Mai and Angel away.
"Hey boy where, are you going?" Mai called to her cat as he ran towards Noriko's room. Mai followed him and as she reached the room she fell asleep.
'Hmmm… I'm in Noriko's room, that's right I chased Angel here and fell asleep,' Mai thought while stretching.
"Mai dear, welcome back," Mai's mother greeted.
"Hey mom, am I meeting that new guy now?" Mai questioned.
"Not yet dear," Mai's mother answered.
"Oh than why am I here?" Mai questioned.
"Ayami is in danger," Mai's mother warned.
"Huh? What? ...What…. what do you mean? 'Ayami is in danger'… What do you mean by that? Mom! What do you mean by danger? What's going on?! Mom!" Mai shouted.
"Sorry dear but times up," Mai's mother said before Mai's eyes snapped open.
'Huh?'Mai thought as she woke up and saw Angel on the bed with her.
"Gee I didn't even learn anything. Mom why couldn't you have given me a bigger clue especially since we're having such a difficult time," Mai muttered in frustration.
'Oh I should go tell Naru about Minnie,' Mai thought as she got out of bed and headed to base.
"…Ayami really said that?" Naru asked while looking at Mai from over his shoulder Angel nodded his head.
"Yeah… isn't it strange," Mai replied as Naru went into thinking pose.
"Lin, go get Minnie," Naru ordered.
"Mai why did it take so long for you to tell me you went to play with her a while ago," Naru questioned as Lin left the room.
"Uhh… about that I might've fallen asleep," Mai laughed sheepishly as she scratched her cheek.
"You're not having sleeping problems at night are you?" Naru questioned with a hint of concern in his eyes. Angel smirked at the thought of Mai having sleeping problems.
"I'm not, I just kinda fell asleep," Mai replied embarrassed.
"Idiot," Naru commented after making sure she wasn't lying.
"Naru, the doll," Lin said entering the room again with Minnie in his hand and Noriko behind him.
"This is Minnie…" Naru said holding the doll.
"My brother gave it to Ayami as a gift right before we moved into this house." Noriko explained.
"Did Ayami change before or after that?" Naru questioned.
"I believe it was after," Noriko said.
"Give it back! Give Minnie back to me! Don't touch her!" Ayami yelled while trying to take Minnie back.
"Ayami I heard you can talk with Minnie," Naru commented to her.
"No one touches her!" Ayami shouted as she succeeded in grabbing Minnie before she ran off.
With John, Masako and Madoka
"So this is where Mai used to work?" John asked Madoka.
"According to my sources it is," Madoka replied.
"Let's go," Masako ordered while entering the building. The other two following shortly after.
"Hello and welcome to Kaidan restaurant, please take a seat and I'll be with you shortly," A boy with an odd chubby cat welcomed them. The group chose to sit near a teenager that seemed to inhale the food and a small group of kids that consist of two girls and a boy.
"Are we going to ask that waiter about Mai?" John questioned.
"You guys know Mai?" The teen and three kids asked from their tables.
"That's right she works with us," Madoka told them.
"I'm Masako Hara, who are you?" Masako questioned.
"Yako Katsuragi, nice to meet you," Yako said happily.
"I'm Ako Ōzora but everyone calls me Anko, that's Shō Kōmoto and she's Reiko Sakuma," The pink haired girl of the children introduced herself cheerfully.
"My name's John Brown pleasure to meet you all," John greeted.
"I'm Madoka Mori, we came here to find more about Mai she doesn't really talk much about herself," Madoka told them.
"She normally made the tea here and sometimes told us some good ghost stories," the blonde haired boy named Sho stated.
"We're regulars here and Mai would normally work the day shift since the night shifts is only for a certain type of people," Yako explained.
"Oh what kind of people?" John asked curious.
"What would you like to order," the waiter from earlier came and stopped the others from answering.
"You can decide," Madoka answered for the three of them,"
"Did you happen to work with Mai?" Masako asked the teen waiter.
"Yes normally I work the night shift but sometimes I helped work during the day," the waiter stated as the chubby cat came back.
"Can you tell us about her?" John questioned.
"If you don't mind me asking why," the waiter responded.
"She works with us at the palace now," Masako answered.
"That's surprising," the black haired girl named Reiko stated.
"How so?" Madoka asked.
"She's told us that if given the option she would rather work anywhere else than at a place of high esteem," Anko said.
"Hey Natsume can you bring me some more," Yako asked as John, Masako and Madoka pondered on what they just learnt.
"She seems to enjoy herself," Madoka stated out loud.
"That's cause Mai's a cheery person," Anko said brightly smiling.
"Yeah next time I see her I'm gonna tell her I became a detective of sorts," Yako added in.
"Oi rodent I'm feeling hungry let's go," A man dressed in blue appeared almost out of no where.
"But Neuro, Natsume's almost back with my food," Yako whined.
"Oh you're going to make me wait?" Neuro questioned innocently
"Ah no, guys tell Natsume I'll pay some other time, bye," Yako flinched when she heard Neuro and quickly left the restaurant. The others agreed that they would before saying goodbye as well.
"Where's Miss Katsuragi? Did Mr Nougami take her away again," Natsume asked coming back.
"He did, Mr Natsume right I want to ask you a question," Madoka said watching him as Natsume put Yako's food in front of his chubby cat whose eyes seemed to gleam.
"Okay, now Nyanko-sensei don't eat all of it," Natsume politely answered Madoka before warning the cat.
"Did she ever say why she doesn't like working in palace's and such?" Madoka questioned.
"I believe it brought back bad memories," Natsume replied while looking out the window, he suddenly went pale and headed back to the kitchen after politely excusing himself.
"So what do you kids think?" John asked the children, none of the group noticed Natsume's strange departure since they were too preoccupied thinking about Mai.
"We don't know but she told us she used to work ummm..."
"at some beauty salon," Sho finished for Anko who had trouble remembering.
"We don't have many beauty salons, I hadn't realized Mai could even cut hair," Madoka said.
"We should head back to the castle," Masako stated.
"Thanks for telling us," John said before the three of them left the building.
"We certainly learned something interesting," Masako stated.
"Looks like I get to research the beauty salons in the area," Madoka said with a scheming look on her.
"How about we just head back to the castle, we have to go catch up with his highness
Back with Mai and the gang later that night
"So that's the Minnie doll? I'm surprised the little one let you take it," Bou-san commented as they watched the doll from the monitor screens.
"Of course she did! No one can resist his highness's charms," Monica declared to the others.
"What charms?" Mai muttered to Angel who laughed in response. Naru on the other hand heard her and sent a small glare her way.
"I took it after she fell asleep," Naru told the group.
"That doll is spooky," Mai stated.
"Yeah… I never did like dolls," Monica added agreeing with Mai.
"Well… dolls were originally made to contain spirits. They were made hollow inside so spirits can easily possess them," Bou-san told her. Monica said a quiet wow at the new information but Mai didn't look too surprised when Bou-san told her this and instead simply made an acknowledging sound. Angel who had been by Naru flicked his tail at Mai and then pointed it at the monitors.
"Angel? … Minnie?! No way…. but she was just sitting!"Mai exclaimed in shock.
Mai's eyes widened as she saw the doll shaking, Lin and Bou-san stared in shock as Minnie continued to shake and detach its head. Monica started to get really scared and grabbed onto Naru's arm. The head slowly turned to face them from the bed and then rolled off of it until it was directly in front of the camera. The camera than flickered off before it turned back on and Minnie was sitting on the bed again. The team jumped to action Lin rewinded the recording to watch the event again, Mai, Monica and Angel went to check the other instruments and Bou-san went to go check on Minnie. All of them had found nothing, there was no recording, none of the instruments picked up anything and Minnie looked as though it never moved.
"This sort of thing is unusual. I have a feeling that Minnie shouldn't be near Ayami anymore." Naru told them before they went off to bed.
Next morning as Mai and Angel were walking up the stairs and to Ayami's room they paused before opening the door.
"This house is filled with bad witches. Don't worry I'll get rid of them all," a voice giggled.
"Sister and Mai too?" Ayami's voice questioned.
"Of course," the voice giggled again.
'Who's in there?' Mai thought worriedly while Angel looked serious.
"But I want to keep my sister," Ayami's voice said.
"No! No! Your sister works for the witch! It's okay I'll take care of them. But in return you have to do whatever I tell you," The voice told Ayami.
"Ayami!" Mai called finally opening the door followed by Angel. All Mai saw was Minnie and Ayami sitting across each other.
"Who were you just talking to?" Mai questioned.
"…Minnie," Ayami answered.
"Just Minnie?" Mai asked going to Ayami's eye level.
"There was also someone else," Ayami stated before pointing over Mai's shoulder.
"…but he's gone," Ayami continued to say as Mai looked at the open door.
'No one was there…' Mai thought feeling a shiver crawl down her back. Angel stalked out of the room a moment later.
"Is that so? He must not like me, was it one of your classmates?" Mai questioned laughing awkwardly.
"Uh-uh," Ayami replied shaking her head.
"How long has he been coming to visit you?" Mai questioned.
"I don't know," Ayami replied.
"…Is Minnie also a good friend of his?" Mai questioned hesitantly.
"Minnie brought him here," Ayami replied.
"Oh I see… I have to go to my boss now I'll come by again later okay Ayami?" Mai watched as Ayami nodded before heading back to base to tell everyone what she heard.
"What's with this house!? What is it?! Perhaps it's famous in the area for being haunted," Ayako complained to the group when Mai finished telling them everything she heard.
"Do you think Minnie has something to o with it?" Mai questioned the group in worry.
"She did tell you that Minnie brought the invisible friend right?" Bou-san asked Mai.
"Yes," Mai replied.
"I knew that doll was creepy, really it's not like it was something hard to miss," Monica added in her opinion.
"What do you think Naru-chan?" Bou-san questioned as Monica glared remembering how her Ollie didn't like to be called Naru-chan. Naru being his usual self didn't answer, making Bou-san shrug his shoulders at Mai.
Mai in return did the anime sweat drop while thinking 'Looks like Naru's being Naru'
"Hey, I know! Maybe Minnie is possessed by a spirit and pretending to be a doll. What'ya think?"Bou-san said in realization while turning to Naru.
"…you may be right. Do you want to take care of the rest Bou-san?"Naru asked.
"Sure," Bou-san replied striking a 'I-got-this" pose while thinking 'Heh, heh, heh it's finally my turn'.
"Don't do that you look like an idiot," Monica commented from the side.
"I agree with the brat," Ayako added.
"Hey! I do not look like an idiot!" "Who are you calling a brat?!" Monica and Bou-san shouted at the same time.
"You guys… don't get into a fight now," Mai said trying to keep the peace.
"Bou-san I believe you have an exorcism to get to, Miss Matsuzaki go take watch over Ayami, Miss Vile, Mai stay here with Lin," Naru ordered breaking up the fight.
A little while later Bou-san wearing his monk out outfit sat crossed legged in front of Minnie while chanting. As Bou-san was doing his exorcism Ayako was sitting next to Ayami as told and Mai with Monica and Angel were in the base watching the two from the monitors.
"KYAAAAAAA"
Naru told Lin to remain in the base as he, Monica and Mai went to see the cause of the scream. Rushing to Ayami's room Mai burst through the door first.
"Miss Noriko?! What happened?" Mai questioned as soon as she saw Noriko crumpled on the ground.
"Ah… my leg…" Noriko panted in pain.
"Her ankle is dislocated," Ayako elaborated while Bou-san supported Noriko on the ground.
"Someone pulled on my ankle…" Noriko added in pain.
Looking at the ankle Mai noticed in shock that there was a child's handprint on it. Leaving Noriko to Ayako and Bou-san Naru grabbed Mai and led her to Ayami. Monica wanting to be with Naru followed them while Angel went to join Lin in the base.
"Ayami what's going on?" Mai questioned to the girl softly while sitting beside her on the bed.
"Did Minnie cause this?" Naru questioned straight-forwardly.
"Where is Minnie?!" Ayami shouted in response.
"I'm going to keep her for awhile," Naru replied calmly.
"Give her back!" Ayami yelled.
"How long has Minnie been talking?"Naru asked ignoring her shout.
"Give her back! She's my friend…" Ayami gasped when she saw the cold look in Naru's eyes.
"Ayami Miss Noriko is hurt. Minnie did this to her didn't she?" Naru questioned, Ayami in response looked like she was about to cry.
"We're all in danger, is that what you wanted?" Naru continued.
"Uh," Ayami sniffled.
"Ayami" Naru shouted.
"Stop it! Stop yelling at her! I can't believe you'd make a little girl cry, you jerk!" Mai yelled at Naru while hugging Ayami.
"That's not the issue here!" Naru argued while Monica watched them fight from the sidelines.
'Finally I knew his highness couldn't tolerate her, though I never did find her secret,' Monica thought.
"..I"
"It is too the issue!" Mai fought back losing her temper and unintentionally cutting Ayami off.
"I'm sorr… I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Minnie said… not to speak with anyone… if I'm friends with someone else, she'll hurt me… so…" Ayami wailed while hiccupping, in the process stopping the argument between Naru and Mai. The group looked surprised at her outburst, Mai hugged Ayami close and glared a message at Naru. Naru sighed deciding to do as Mai asked and stop yelling at Ayami. Monica who had been on the side decided to go sit on the bed, she was upset that 'her Ollie' was going to do as Mai asked.
"… How long has Minnie been speaking with you?" Naru asked calmly.
"…Since we moved to this house," Ayami said taking a peek at Naru from her spot in Mai's arms.
"In the beginning what did she say?" Naru continued to question in his calm almost soft voice.
"That my mommy is a witch and my daddy is her servant and that they're going to kill me. She said my sister is on their side too. Minnie told me she'd protect me only if I don't become friends with anyone else… if I forget and play with my sister… Minnie gets mad and hides things and makes the room messy. She says that's my punishment!" Ayami explained in one go.
"Does Minnie ever bring friends with her?" Naru asked his last question.
"Uh huh lots of them that are about my age. They all work for Minnie," Ayami said sitting away from Mai with her hands in her lap.
"So this is all caused by Minnie. I wonder if the previous owner of the doll died and possessed the doll," Bou-san pondered aloud when he heard the story from Monica.
"That's why I don't like dolls….! They're spooky," Ayako shivered with her arms crossed.
"I don't believe its Minnie," Naru stated.
"Yeah I thought so too your highness, I think the little girl is in on it," Monica added.
"What?! Ayami?! Monica she couldn't have done anything like that!" Mai exclaimed.
"But think about it she could be helping the doll and made up a story to us" Monica argued.
"Calm down you two, I doubt it was Ayami that was helping Minnie. Naru-chan you don't seem convinced that Minnie did all this you don't think Monica was right, do you? " Bou-san questioned.
"The doll is just being manipulated by the spirits that are trapped in the house. Ayami isn't involved in any other way except being Minnie's 'friend'. We need to figure out who they are, until we find that out Ayami's life is in danger," Naru told the group.
"Mai, Mai please come here!" Noriko called in panic just as Naru finished his sentence.
"Miss Noriko when did you get back…?" Mai asked jogging to where Noriko was.
"Look!"Noriko pointed to what was written above the door. Kana held on to Noriko as Mai came to take a look at what Noriko was referring to. Above the door it was written "bad person will be punished"
"Wha… who… is this bad person…? No way… Ayami?" Mai muttered to herself in thought as she along with everyone else gazed at the wall.
"Ayami gave us information she wasn't supposed to give out. Minnie thinks she betrayed her. Mai… stay with Ayami at all times," Naru ordered.
The next day
"Naru and the guys are cleaning that writing off the wall," Mai whispered to Noriko as they along with Angel and Monica were sitting on outside watching Ayami play.
"His highness is really thoughtful isn't he, I really wish I knew how to get him to notice me" Monica sighed dreamily while giving a subtle hint to Mai. Angel rolled his eyes at her train of thought was mentally thankful that Mai wasn't like her.
'It was Naru's idea to clean it up so Ayami wouldn't see it… I knew he had some semblance of a heart… even if he threatens to banish people… and Bou-san should be right now taking Minnie and burning her… what is Monica sighing about I wonder, he can be nice but really he's not that great' Mai thought completely missing Monica's hint.
"Thank you… and I'm sorry," Noriko replied knocking Mai out of her thoughts and Monica out of her daydream.
"Please! Don't be sorry! I know this is difficult for you as well, you got hurt and Miss Kana left you guys," Mai tried to reassure her.
"At least you stayed," Monica added in, even Angel put his paw on her knee to make Noriko feel better.
"That's just life," Noriko smiled.
"Hey sis, how's our ankle?" Ayami asked running up to them.
"It's fine, because you're always so kind to me, my pain went away," Noriko replied making Ayami brighten up.
"I'll go pick some flowers for you, Mai come with me!"Ayami cheered walking towards the flower bush.
"Sure," Mai followed spinning her arm, to stretch it.
"Which one should we pick?" Mai asked looking at all the flowers.
"The prettiest one!" Ayami grinned as she went to grab a flower.
"Ayami?!" Mai exclaimed when Ayami cried out and had a panicked look on her face.
"No! My hands are stuck!" Ayami cried.
"Hold on!" Mai shouted grabbing onto Ayami's hands and pulling them out from the bush.
'There's nothing…' Mai thought noticing that the bush was empty.
"WAAAAAAAAAH" Ayami cried running away.
"Ayami!" Mai shouted after her.
"Mai, stop her! There's a pond over there!" Noriko yelled. Angel ran to catch up to Mai while Monica helped Noriko ran/limp.
"…. No way, are you kidding me? ...that's impossible. The box is completely burnt but…how are you still here…. Minnie," Bou-san pondered as he stared at the doll that didn't have a single scratch after he threw it in the flames. Minnie's eye twinkled in response.
"Minnie I'm sorry," Ayami shouted behind her as she continued to run.
"I'm sorry don't be made at me…."
'Minnie?' Mai questioned in her head as she continued to chase Ayami.
"Please don't be mean to me. I'm sorr…" Ayami said holding onto a small tree branch… but her foot slipped and she fell into the pond.
"Ayami!" Mai screamed running to the pond. Mai jumped into the pond with Angel jumping in a second later.
"Where are you, Ayami?! Ayami?!"Mai shouted swimming around.
"Ayami!" Mai saw Ayami splash around barely keeping herself afloat.
"Ayami!" Noriko yelled from ashore.
Mai grabbed Ayami and swam to the edge of the pond. Mai handed Ayami to Monica before lifting her cat out of the water.
"Ayami… Ayami. You're… safe," Noriko breathed in relief as she hugged Ayami.
"Sister!" Ayami cried hugging back.
'…is this Minnie's revenge was this her punishment?' Mai thought but before she could fully exit the pond she was pulled back in.
"MAI!" the others on shore screamed all of them were frozen in shock except Angel who jumped back into the pool. The shadow that had been following her also slinked into the pool. Mai swam around frantically trying to reach back up but to her it felt like she was still being pulled down.
'Is this really how it ends,' Mai thought as her vision started to fade.
"…I'm going to call my brother. We'll probably have to move out of here," Noriko told the group after the pond incident.
"That may be the right decision," Bou-san replied.
"But some poltergeist follow you even if you move," Naru added.
"Then… what should we do!? Mai nearly died!" Noriko exclaimed causing the rest of the room to flinch and look at the sleeping girl.
"Mai's gonna be just fine, you lot shouldn't worry so much," Monica said offhandedly.
"She nearly drowned!" Ayako shouted at Monica for being so indifferent.
"Yeah but there's no proof that a ghost did that, right your highness," Monica asked turning to Naru.
"Miss Vile is indeed correct. …I did some research on the previous homeowners. You're family moved into this house ten months ago. Before you the Watanabe family lived here for three years, they sold the house due to a job relocation," Naru explained.
"Not because of a poltergeist?" Monica questioned.
"No. Previous to that the Nogi family lived here, the nine year old girl died of an illness while in this house. Before the Nogi family, the Onuma family lived here but… their three children died in a matter of half a year," Naru continued.
"All three?!" Ayako exclaimed in shock.
"They were 10, 8 and 7 years old, two boys and one girl. They died of illnesses and accidents and afterwards the Onuma family decided to get rid of the house," Naru continued to explain about the families that had lived their how the teenagers were okay but a visiting cousin who was 10 died, other children who had died until he reached the original builders of the house who had their daughter pass away.
"So that means it's dangerous for an eight year old to live in this house?" Bou-san questioned looking at Ayami.
"Yes but it also questions why the spirit would attack Mai when they've been mainly targeting children," Naru replied.
"Maybe it was because Mai saved Ayami and made Minnie mad," Ayako suggested.
"Maybe it was Mai's fault, after all she came right back up a minute or two later and she seemed to be able to breath," Monica added. Angel glared at her from his position beside Mai.
"…What happened?" Mai groaned waking up.
"Mai you're up," Bou-san said happily.
"Oh I hadn't noticed," Mai replied hoarsely.
"Drink this," Ayako handed her some water.
"Are you alright Mai?" Monica questioned.
"Yeah, did I get into an accident?" Mai asked weakly.
"Nearly drowned," Lin decided to speak up.
"I always was accident prone," Mai laughed weakly.
"Go back to sleep," Naru ordered gently.
"Okay," Mai said before drifting off again.
"What should I do…?!" Noriko buried her head in her hands after Mai fell back asleep.
"Let me call in an expert. If you plan on moving, please at least wait till he comes," Naru answered back in his professional mode.
Me: And that's all for now a lot of the dialogue was based off the manga
Yako Katsuragi and Nougami Neuro are from majin tantei nougami neuro (anime and manga)
Kaidan/Thriller restaurant Ako Ōzora/Anko, Shō Kōmoto and Reiko Sakuma from Kaidan/ Thriller restaurant (anime)
Natsume and Nyanko-sensei are from Natsume yuujinchou (manga and anime)
sorry if any characters were out of character
My cousin who decided to visit: The writer of this story is putting off her homework just to write this.. be grateful ;-;
Me: Ha it's no big deal procrastination is in the blood but a review is appreciated.
Ayako: When exactly are we finding out who Mai is?
Me: When I choose to, here's this chapter's question Masako if you will
Masako: Why do you think Mai doesn't like working with nobles? or Who do you think needs Mai's help?
Me: You're free to send me your guesses I can't fully reveal the answer if you do but if I happen to slip and give a slight hint well oops.
Yasu: Hey when do I get to show up again?
Me: Well I was thinking of bringing you in before your original case starts, hey readers any preference to what case Yasu comes in?